Amazon Echo Spot Review

My family uses Alexa daily to check the weather, set timers, inquire about measurement conversions, and answer random questions like, “How much does a llama weigh?” (You might be surprised at the crazy questions she can answer.) We have several Alexa-enabled devices around the house, and I was excited when I saw that Amazon released a new gadget designed specifically for the bedroom: the Echo Spot (available at Amazon for $44.99) .

This new design is essentially a hybrid between the classic Echo Dot and the larger Echo Show models. It has several features that make it well-suited for use as an alarm clock. I tested out the new model for several weeks, and here is what I liked (and what I didn’t) about the Echo Spot.

What is the Amazon Echo Spot?

• Dimensions: 4.5 W x 4.1 D x 4.4 H inches
• Weight: 14.3 ounces
• Display: 2.83-inch touch screen
• Audio: Full range 1.73-inch built-in speaker
• Memory: 1GB DRAM + 8GB eMMC
• Language: English or Spanish
• Colors: Black, Glacier White, or Ocean Blue
• Warranty: 1-year limited; 2- and 3-year extended warranties available for purchase

The Amazon Echo Spot is the latest iteration in the brand’s line of Echo smart speakers. The 2024 release combines the compact size of the Echo Dot with a new clock display. The touchscreen, which occupies the upper half of the device, also lets you see the weather, song titles, or the status of compatible smart devices at a glance.

However, it’s worth noting that the Echo Spot doesn’t support any kind of video content, so you can’t use it to make video calls or monitor your home’s smart cameras. For those features, you’ll need one of the Echo Show models.

What we like

The screen offers a lot of functionality

Arguably, the biggest selling point of the new Echo Spot is its touchscreen display, which has a 2.8-inch diagonal and a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. When you set up the Spot, you have the option of six different clock faces, including plain and stylized versions and options with weather icons. You can also choose from six accent colors, which change the color of the numbers and accents on the screen.

The Spot shows the clock by default, but you can also use the display for other tasks. For instance, when you ask Alexa to play music or a podcast, it will show album art and song titles. The screen can also display the weather, reminders, timers, and controls for other smart home devices. I have the Spot synced up to the smart light in my bedroom, and it will display a button that I can easily tap to turn the light on or off.

It works well as a bedroom clock

For the past few years, I’ve used the fifth-generation Echo Dot as a clock in my bedroom. I chose this model because it has a built-in digital clock, but the display is simple and only shows numbers. It’s also fairly bright, and my partner found it to be bothersome at night, even after I dimmed the display.

By comparison, the display on the new Echo Spot has more functionality, which makes it well-suited for use in the bedroom. You can choose from several clock faces that show during the day, and at night, the display automatically switches to a simple clock face with subtle red numbers, which makes it much less disruptive. The first night we used it, my partner commented that it was much better than the Echo Dot. By default, it switches at 10 p.m., but you can adjust the settings in the Alexa app.

The Spot has other settings that will prove handy if you use it as an alarm clock. There’s an option to gradually increase the alarm volume the longer it sounds—ideal if you occasionally sleep through your wake-up call. (While this isn’t a new feature, it’s useful nonetheless.) You can change the alarm tone through the Alexa app, and the device offers a few exclusive audios you won’t find on other Echo models.

Its audio quality is quite good

I like to listen to music while I get dressed in the morning, and the first time I asked Alexa to play “Pink Pony Club” on the Echo Spot, I was quite impressed by the audio quality, which comes from a full-range 1.73-inch speaker. It’s noticeably better than the older Echo devices I own, and you can crank up the volume if you want to jam out.

After going through the device’s settings, I also discovered that you can adjust the speaker’s bass, midrange, and treble, tailoring the sound to suit your space. You can also pair it with another Echo speaker or even the Echo Sub subwoofer if you want to amplify the sound even more.

What we don’t like

The settings are buried in the Alexa app

While experimenting with the Echo Spot, I wanted to try out a different clock face, so I navigated into the Alexa app and found it in my list of devices. I expected that the option to change the clock would be front and center, but that wasn’t the case. All the settings for the device are located in one big menu, including the tabs to change the clock, display brightness, audio, and much more. It’s a lot to sort through every time you want to make an adjustment, and I wish the key features were more easily accessible.

It’s more expensive than other Echo devices

I have several Echo devices in my home, ranging from an early-gen Echo Dot (the one that looks like a hockey puck) to an Echo Show 15, so I have a good idea of what these devices typically cost. Given its features and design, I figured the new Echo Spot would retail for $50 or $60, so I was quite surprised to find it costs $80.

While the touchscreen is a nice feature, the price seems a little high compared to other Echo devices. For instance, the Echo Pop, which has a nearly identical design minus the display, only costs $40. You can even get the Echo Show 5, which has a bigger screen and video capabilities for $90.

Should you buy the new Amazon Echo Spot?

Yes, if you’re specifically looking for a bedroom clock.

The new Echo Spot is a top pick if you want an Alexa-enabled device for your bedroom. It combines the convenient compact form of an Echo Dot with the handy touchscreen display of an Echo Show, and it proved to be versatile and well-designed in testing. I loved that you can customize the gadget’s clock face and color scheme to match your style, and it has a variety of features that make it well-suited for use as an alarm clock.

While I have a few complaints about the Echo Spot, they’re only minor issues. I wish some of its key features were more readily accessible in the Alexa app, and I also think it’s slightly pricey compared to other Echo devices. However, it will likely be discounted during any of Amazon’s major sale events, so you can always just wait to buy if you want to save a few bucks.

Echo Spot

$80.00

This new Amazon alarm clock is an excellent upgrade for any clock without grade a sound quality and smart home capabilities.

BUY NOW

at Amazon